English top flight: ten key points to keep an eye on this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for a new battle
Another northwest showdown may be in the offing as Burnley's Kyle Walker confronts Chelsea's Alejandro Garnacho at Turf Moor. The attacker is finding his feet with Chelsea after his summer move from Manchester United and showcased his skills versus Wolverhampton prior to the fixture pause. His setup for Pedro Neto blended rapid acceleration with a ideal along-the-deck delivery. His build-up for Malo Gusto required moving onto his right prior to chipping a ball across the goalmouth. His celebration with Neto, mirroring his previous celebration with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, acted as a indication of how quickly circumstances change. The last time Garnacho took on Walker? During the youngster scored for United during their cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12.30pm (all times GMT)
Antoine Semenyo vital to stopping Cherries' decline
Antoine Semenyo is getting the full gossip column focus following a reported ÂŁ65m release clause for a possible winter exit, the media preparing him for advancement from the Premier League's middle class. That is understandable for a attacker who has six finishes and three helpers and remains pleasurable to watch. Nonetheless, Bournemouth find themselves in an tricky situation, having engaged in a form flip: now it's the struggling side West Ham who come in on back-to-back victories, whereas Bournemouth are down seven-one combined over their last two matches following an strong opening to the campaign. Semenyo saw his attempt stopped on the penalty by Emi MartĂnez in the 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa but taking on a defensive unit that hasn't kept a clean sheet in the league since the start of the season could be the best remedy.
Bournemouth versus West Ham, Saturday three o'clock
3. Welbeck an outside choice for the Three Lions
It was notable to listen to Thomas Tuchel mention Danny Welbeck on more than one occasion throughout the national team window even though the Brighton striker turns 35 in the coming days. “Without even being familiar with him, I am aware what he is able to offer me,” stated the England coach. “He could serve as a stand-in for Harry [Kane] playing a very conventional No 9 position.” Gaining the most recent of his 42 caps in 2018, there is every chance that Welbeck might be selected for the World Cup if he manages to sustain his goalscoring feats. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward can claim more goals over every other English player in England's top division this campaign on six and will be keen to increase that total when Brighton host Brentford in Saturday's match.
Brighton versus Brentford, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The full-back crucial as assist provider and goalscorer
The Ryan Sessegnon tale has offered a measure of positivity to Fulham's inconsistent beginning. The 25-year-old, who returned to his youth team last year after five tough years in north London, has emerged as a regular starter, driving down the left side with the sidelined Antonee Robinson. The concern? On two goals, he is their joint-top scorer in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. Their main striker, their primary attacker last season, has netted a single goal while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable until 2026 owing to a surgical procedure. Sessegnon is also being required to contribute as an assist provider replacing Robinson, who supplied ten helpers in the previous campaign. The Cottagers' next four matches take in three of the top five plus Crystal Palace, who have conceded only nine scores in the league this season. Trouble awaits for the club that have earned a reputation for solidity in the central positions.
Fulham vs Sunderland, Saturday three o'clock
The moment for Isak to deliver for Liverpool
The debate surrounding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal versus Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's shortcomings during the match as they lost to a seventh defeat in 10 games. The manager's squad need a prolonged upturn to enter the championship chase from this position, along with a significant boost in performance, and the possibility emerges as seven from their following ten league games facing sides currently in the lower half of the table. The danger is evident posed by Nottingham Forest, the sole side to inflict a defeat on their own turf to Liverpool in the last term, however it's not just Liverpool's performance versus direct play and fast breaks that remains in focus. Now is the occasion for Alexander Isak to show up for Liverpool. The ÂŁ125m striker has not featured in domestic action in a month having sustained a groin injury when making his second start in four days in continental competition triumph in Germany. He reappeared as a substitute during Sweden's loss against Switzerland but sat out the subsequent dead rubber against Slovenia to secure his fitness for the World Cup playoffs. A yellow card during the game would have ruled him out. He might be short of|lacking|deficient
